LTAD 2
FUNdamentals
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Overview - Fundamentals
Ages 6-9 in Boys & 6-8 in Girls
From ages 6-9 in boys and 6-8 in girls, children need to participate in a variety of well-structured activities that develop basic skills. However, activities and programs need to maintain a focus on fun, and formal competition should only be minimally introduced.
Objective: Learn all fundamental movement skills and build overall motor skills.
This is a critical stage for the development of physical literacy, and it is during this time that the foundations of many advanced skills are laid down.
Skill development for children this age is best achieved through a combination of unstructured play in a safe and challenging environment; and quality instruction from knowledgeable teachers/leaders/coaches in community recreation activities, schools, and minor sport programs.
* Skill development during this stage should be well-structured, positive and FUN, and should concentrate on developing the ABCs - of Agility, Balance, Coordination and Speed, plus rhythmic activities.
* Hand and foot speed can be developed especially well by boys and girls during this stage and if this window of opportunity to develop speed is missed, body speed later in life may be compromised.
* This is a great age for children to take part in a wide range of sports - and they should be encouraged to take part in land-based, water-based and ice/snow based activities at different times of the year.
* It is important that all children including those with a disability, master fundamental movement skills before sport specific skills are introduced.
* Strength, endurance and flexibility need to be developed, but through games and fun activities rather than a training regimen.
* Learning to "read" the movements going on around them and make sound decisions during games are critical skills that should be developed at this stage.
Things to think about:
Children this age should not specialize in a single sport. Although they may well have a preferred sport that they take part in once or twice a week, they should take part in other sports or activities at least 3 to 4 times per week. Children this age have a strong sense of what is "fair" and should be introduced to the simple rules and ethics of sports. Basic tactics and decision making can be introduced.
Using equipment that is the right size, and that fits well makes learning activities much more enjoyable and also safer. Equipment swaps and rentals are one way to keep the cost of participation down - and this is particularly important for children with a disability who need specialized sports equipment.
Physical Literacy Activities
* Encourage children to engage in unstructured physical play with their friends every day, regardless of the weather.
* Continue to play catching, throwing, hitting, running and other physically demanding games with both boys and girls. If possible, enroll children in programs that offer a wide variety of different activities (multi-sport programs) or in a wide range of different activities. Try as many different activities as possible.
* Attend parent-teacher, or other school meetings and advocate for quality physical education programs in the school - with sufficient time allocated (recommended allocation 150 minutes per week - 30 minutes per day) taught by a qualified physical educator.
* Don't be concerned with the score. At this age many programs that include competition don't keep score. This puts the focus of the program on learning and having fun, rather than on doing whatever it takes to win matches, games and leagues.
* Don't believe the myth that early specialization in sports such as soccer or hockey will lead to far greater performance later in life. Developing all-round athletes at this age is far better, but remember that a few sports (such as gymnastics and figure skating) do require early specialization.
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